The following contribution is from another author.
Many of us like to believe that we are hygienic individuals. Unfortunately, our homes often tell a different story. All sorts of problems can affect us, from breathing difficulties to worsening asthma, if we don’t take care of them properly.
This post explains the risks of an unsanitary home, how it can wreck your health, and what you can do to protect yourself. Read on to learn more.
Worsening Breathing Problems And Allergies
Mold, dust mites, and allergens like pollen can accumulate in your home without you knowing it. These microscopic particles can then get into the atmosphere and wreak havoc on your airways, making asthma and allergies much worse. Many people experience unpleasant symptoms, including sneezing and wheezing when exposed to these elements.
The best approach is to clean your home regularly to remove as many allergens as you can. If you think the problem might be dust mites, pest control could help. You can also hire cleaning companies to perform deep cleaning on all your interior surfaces to remove more of the offending detritus.
Increased Risk Of Accidents
An unhygienic home also increases the risk of accidents. Letting clutter accumulate or stacking things on top of each other to save space creates a hazard.
To stop this, put things away in storage. If you don’t have enough room in your home, hire a company to deliver a skip to your property. Use this to dispose of anything you don’t need.
You might also consider donating or selling any of your unwanted items. This can free up space and make you a little money at the same time.
More Exposure To Pathogens
A little exposure to pathogens is to be expected. However, excessive contact can cause health issues, which is another way an unsanitary home can damage your health.
Pathogens tend to live on contaminated surfaces and in food cuttings. It can also be a significant problem in clogged drains. Too much exposure can lead to serious health problems, including skin infections, parasitic infections, and even tuberculosis in extreme cases.
The simplest way to deal with pathogens is to use cleaning methods that eliminate them. The best antibacterial option is bleach (sodium hypochlorite) but there are others you can use.
If you think your carpet is the culprit, arrange a deep cleaning. Professionals can jet steam into the material, killing off anything that might be living down there. Experts can also treat your carpets with solutions that make it harder for bacteria to re-establish themselves.
More Stress
Another problem with living in an unsanitary home is how it affects your stress levels. It’s hard to be around messes all the time because it makes more unconscious demands on your cognition.
The solution here is to identify the cause of the clutter. If it is merely practical, you could solve the problem on a weekend with a big clean and clear-out. If it is psychological, you might want to explore why you need so much stuff and whether it is bringing you any joy.
Weaker Immune System
Chronic pathogen exposure in your home is also bad for your health because it can lead to a weaker immune system. Over time, these elements can corrupt the way it works, making you more susceptible to disease. It can lose its ability to distinguish threats from background noise, allowing dangerous pathogens to take hold.
If you are concerned that these organics might be in the air, you can install a HEPA filter in your home. These can screen for most bugs, preventing them from getting into your skin or mucous membranes. It also prevents any hazardous particles from getting into your lungs where they might cause damage.
Reduced Sleep Quality
Poor home hygiene can also affect health by reducing sleep quality. Unsanitary conditions due to mites or bed bugs can zap your energy levels and keep you awake at night, worried about what might be feasting on your blood and skin.
You can get peace of mind by arranging a regular mattress cleaning. These use heat treatment to zap bugs and prevent them from crawling out at night and damaging your skin. You can also use chemical treatments, but these might not get as deep into the mattress and some bed bugs could avoid them.
Lower Output
Finally, living in clutter can reduce your output and make you less productive if you work from home. Removing things you don’t need creates a more sanitary home that reduces stress levels and lets you focus on the task at hand.
